Stimulus-responsive dynamic liquid crystal elastomers

Abstract

Compositions, systems and methods for use in monitoring an environment or a formation. The compositions can include electrically conductive material that can be used as a sensor. The sensor can have a non-writeable, writeable, and stimulated state. A first signal is used to induce the non-writeable material into a writeable state. In the writeable state, the electrically conductive material has the capacity for actuation in response to an orthogonal signal. In response to the orthogonal signal, the electrically conductive material then undergoes a conformation or shape change. The conformational or shape change induces a strain or actuation that can be used to generate a signal. The stimulated state can be reversible, and in the absence of the orthogonal signal the electrically conductive material may resume its original shape or conformation.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for monitoring an environment or formation, comprising:
 placing a sensor comprising a functionalized liquid crystal elastomer in the environment or formation, wherein the sensor comprises a signal generating element;   providing a first signal to the sensor, wherein, in response to the first signal the functionalized liquid crystal elastomer reacts in a crosslinking reaction to generate a crosslinked functionalized liquid crystal elastomer; and   exposing the sensor to an orthogonal signal, wherein the crosslinked functionalized liquid crystal elastomer reacts in response to the orthogonal signal to induce a strain in or actuate the signal generating element, and wherein inducing the strain in or actuating the signal generating element induces the signal generating element to generate a readout signal.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first signal comprises a lithographically patterned light applied to the functionalized liquid crystal elastomer to generate crosslinks between the functionalized liquid crystal elastomers at discrete sites. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first signal comprises a lithographically patterned electric field applied to the functionalized liquid crystal elastomer to generate crosslinks between the functionalized liquid crystal elastomers at discrete sites. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising receiving the signal with a signal receiving element. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein generating the readout signal comprises generating the readout signal with an antenna. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein generating the signal with the antenna further comprises generating the signal by a change in polarization or resonance frequency of the antenna. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising providing a second signal to the sensor, wherein in response to the second signal the crosslinking reaction is reversed. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein providing the first signal further comprises providing the first signal wherein the first signal is a first light with a first wavelength. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the providing the second signal to the sensor further comprises providing the second signal wherein the second signal comprises a second light at a second wavelength. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein providing the second signal to the sensor further comprises providing the second signal wherein the second signal is heat. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein exposing the sensor to the orthogonal signal further comprises exposing the sensor to an environmental signal. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein exposing the sensor to the environmental signal further comprises exposing the sensor to an electric field, a magnetic field, a third light with a third wavelength, heat, a chemical, or a metabolite, or any combinations thereof 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein exposing the sensor to the environmental signal further comprises exposing the sensor to a change in an electric field, a change in a magnetic field, a change in a third light with a third wavelength, a change in heat, a change in concentration of a chemical, or a change in concentration of a metabolite, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the functionalized liquid crystal elastomer comprises a functionalized RM82. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the functionalized RM82 is functionalized with methylcoumarin. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the functionalized RM82 is functionalized with anthracene.